5th Wheel trailer hanger

ABSTRACT

An article hanging device ( 10   a ) for a cylindrical 5 th  wheel kingpin ( 12 ) having a first diameter ( 14 ). The article-hanging device ( 10   a ) has a split annular body ( 24   a ) with a wall ( 26   a ) and an open bottom ( 28   a ). The wall ( 26   a ) has an inner diameter formed to fit over the first diameter ( 14 ) of the cylindrical king pin ( 12 ). Circumferentially spaced pockets ( 61 ) extend around the wall ( 26   a ). At least one longitudinal hanger ( 34   a ) has a first end ( 36   a ) formed at substantially a right angle to the longitudinal positioned in one of the spaced pockets ( 61 ). Each of the spaced pockets ( 61 ) is formed with a lateral extension ( 65 ) to engage a part of the longitudinal hanger ( 34   a ) and constrain its rotational movement. Wall extensions ( 26   b ) and ( 26   c ) project from wall ( 26   a ) on either side of gap ( 62 ) respectively and an aperture ( 63 ) penetrates both wall extensions. After the article hanger ( 10   a ) is slid unto the king pin ( 12 ), a lock ( 51 ), such as a threaded bolt ( 51   a ), is provided with a washer ( 52 ) and fitted through aperture ( 63 ) and a nut ( 52 ) is applied. The lock ( 51 ) is then tightened to hold the hanger ( 10   a ) in place on the king pin ( 12 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 11/135,817 filed May 24, 2005 listing the same sole inventor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to article hanging devices and more particularly to article hanging devices for 5^(th) wheel trailers.

BACKGROUND ART

The present popularity of camping has led many campgrounds, for ascetic as well as safety purposes, to institute policies forbidding clothes lines from being strung between trees or poles or adjacent trailers. Such policies have created difficulties for campers when it comes to drying wet clothing such as bathing attire, towels or other clothing that has become wet. Prior art proposals for this problem have not provided suitable solutions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,661 teaches a drying rack that is permanently mounted to a wall of a trailer. This suggestion requires drilling multiple holes in the trailer wall that can provide an opportunity for water leakage during rainstorms as well as added air resistance when the trailer is being towed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,851 teaches a bracket that can be hung from a vehicle window; however only a single item such as a lantern can be accommodated. U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,299 teaches a garment hanger for mounting internally of a vehicle for transporting hanging garments in a high-density packing arrangement. This device also is not suited for drying wet articles.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to obviate the disadvantages of the prior art.

It is another object of the invention to enhance article hangers for camping trailers.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a portable article hanger.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an article hanger specifically designed for 5^(th) wheel trailers.

Yet another object is the provision of an article hanger that cooperates with the king pin of a 5^(th) wheel trailer.

These objects are accomplished, in one aspect of the invention, by an article hanger for mounting upon the king pin of a 5 ^(th) wheel trailer, the article hanger comprising a substantially cup-shaped body formed to engage at least a part of the king pin, plural means for mounting longitudinally extending hangers from the body; and means for removably affixing the body to the king pin.

In another aspect of the invention, these objects are accomplished by an article hanger for mounting upon the king pin of a 5^(th) wheel trailer, the article hanger comprising a body formed to engage at least a part of the king pin and including plural means for mounting longitudinally extending hangers from the body; and means for removably affixing the body to the king pin.

In a preferred embodiment, an article hanging device for a cylindrical 5^(th) wheel king pin, wherein the king pin has a first diameter with a reduced second diameter near an end thereof providing an extending flange having an end surface, comprises: a cup-shaped body with a wall and a bottom, the wall having an inner diameter formed to fit over the first diameter of the cylindrical king pin; a threaded opening centrally located in the bottom; a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures in the wall adjacent the bottom; at least one longitudinal hanger having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned in one of the spaced apertures and contacting the reduced second diameter of the king pin; and a threaded stud positioned in the threaded opening having an internal end in contact with the end surface of the king pin and an external end extending outside of the cup-shaped body.

In a second preferred embodiment, an article hanging device for a cylindrical 5^(th) wheel king pin, wherein the king pin has a first diameter with a reduced second diameter near an end thereof providing an extending flange having an end surface the article hanger comprises a tubular body formed to engage at least a part of the king pin and including plural means for mounting longitudinally extending hangers from the body; and means for removably affixing the body to the king pin.

These article hangers are compact and easily transported and assembled on site. Since they are provided on the king pin of the trailer itself they require no additional support. They do not require drilling any holes in the trailer body and thereby do not threaten the environment within the trailer. Additionally, when either of the disclosed article hangers are in place they protect the king pin from the weather.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article hanger according to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a 5^(th) wheel trailer with an article hanger in place;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a mounted article hanger.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second aspect of an article hanger;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the article hanger of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a section view of the article hanger of FIG. 5.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following disclosure and appended claims taken in conjunction with the above-described drawings.

Referring now to the drawings with greater particularity, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, an article-hanging device 10 that has a cup-shaped body 24 with a wall 26 and a bottom 28. The wall 26 has an inner diameter D formed to fit over the first diameter 14 of a cylindrical king pin 12. A threaded opening 30 is centrally located in the bottom 28 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 32 extends around the wall 26 adjacent the bottom 28.

At least one longitudinal hanger 34 having a first end 36 and a second end 38, has its first end 34 positioned in one of the spaced apertures 32 and contacting a reduced second diameter 16 of the king pin 12 near an end 18 and above the flange 20. In a preferred embodiment of the invention there are eight longitudinal hangers 34; however, other numbers can be provided as desired. A threaded stud 40 is positioned in the threaded opening 30 and has an internal end 42 in contact with an end surface 22 of the king pin 12 and an external end 44 extending outside of the cup-shaped body 24. The terminal portion 45 of the external end 44 of the stud 40 can be provided with a “J” configuration to provide additional hanging capacity.

The body 24 can be formed of a suitable plastic material such as, for example, ABS or polypropylene, or a metal such as aluminum or zinc. Other metals can also be utilized but they preferably are weatherized to withstand the elements.

A boss 46 surrounds the circumferentially spaced apertures 32 to provide added strength. When a plastic material is employed for the body 24 it is preferred that a threaded metal nut 31 be included in the bottom 28, as by insert molding or friction fitting a threaded part into an internal boss 33.

Preferably, the longitudinal hangers 34 are formed from steel rod, suitably weatherized, for example, by a zinc coating. Alternatively, other materials such as wood or plastic can be utilized. The second ends 38 of the longitudinal hangers 34 are provided with stop members 50. In the case of metal hangers 34 the stop members 50 can be hooks; as shown, while in the case of wood or plastic hangers the stop members 50 can be, for example, a threaded or glued ball.

The threaded stud 40 preferably has a locknut or wing nut 48 engaging the bottom 28 of the cup-shaped body 24 to secure the assembly together. A wing nut is preferred since the extended wings provide a good finger grip allowing hand tightening and avoiding the necessity of tool use.

To assemble and use the article hanging device 10, the trailer 100 is removed from its tractor exposing the king pin 12 that projects from bracket 110. The body 24 is slipped upwardly over the king pin 12 and is held in position while the longitudinal hangers 34 are inserted into the apertures 32 until their first ends 36 abut the reduced diameter portion 16. The hooked ends 38 of the longitudinal hangers 34 should be positioned in an upper most. When all of the longitudinal hangers 34 are properly located the treaded stud 40 is turned through nut 31 until its internal end 42 abuts the surface 22 of the kin pin 12. This action creates an equal and opposite force downward from the upper edge 32 a of apertures 32 through the longitudinal hanger 34 to the lower edge 32 b of apertures 32 and king pin surface 22. Hand tightening is all that is necessary. All of the longitudinal hangers 34 are now held against the edges 32 a and 32 b of apertures 32 and the king pin surface 22. This prevents the article hanger 10 from being removed. The last step in the assembly is to tighten the wing nut 48. Removing the article hanger 10 involves reversing the above-described procedure.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 5-7. Therein, an article hanger 10 a has a split annular body 24 a with a circumferential wall 26 a and an open bottom 28 a. The wall 26 a has an inner diameter D formed to fit over the first diameter 14 of a cylindrical king pin 12 and a longitudinal gap 62.

Circumferentially spaced pockets 61 extend around the wall 26 a.

At least one longitudinal hanger 34 a has a first end 36 a formed at substantially a right angle to the longitudinal positioned in one of the spaced pockets 61. Each of the spaced pockets 61 is formed with a lateral extension 65 to engage a part of the longitudinal hanger 34 a and constrain its rotational movement. Since the size of the king pin 12 is determined by Government regulation, as set forth in SAE 700, it will be apparent that only one size of article hanger 10 or 10 a is necessary, greatly simplifying production and reducing costs. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 there are eight longitudinal hangers 34, while in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 there are nine hangers 34 a. Other numbers of hangers can of course be provided if desired.

Wall extensions 24 b and 24 c project from wall 26 a on either side of gap 62 respectively and an aperture 63 penetrates both wall extensions. After the article hanger 10 a is slid unto the king pin 12, a lock 51 is provided to hold the hanger in place. The lock 51 can be, for example, a threaded bolt 51 a, is provided with a washer 52 and fitted through aperture 63 and a nut 53 is applied. The lock 51 is then tightened to hold the hanger 10 a in place on the king pin 12.

Preferably, the annular body 24 a is positioned on the king pin 12 before the longitudinal hangers 34 a are inserted into the pockets 61.

While there have been shown and described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. An article hanging device for mounting upon the king pin of a 5^(th) wheel trailer comprising: a body formed to engage at least a part of said king pin; plural means for mounting longitudinally extending hangers from said body; and means for temporarily affixing said body to said king pin.
 2. An article hanging device for a cylindrical 5^(th) wheel king pin having a first diameter, said hanging device comprising: a split annular body having an inner diameter formed to fit over said first diameter of said cylindrical king pin; a plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets positioned about said split annular body; and a lock for affixing said body to said king pin.
 3. The article hanging device of claim 1 wherein said means for temporarily affixing said body to said king pin comprises a lock.
 4. The article hanging device of claim 3 wherein said lock comprises a threaded shaft and a threaded nut.
 5. The article hanging device of claim 1 wherein each of said plural means for mounting said longitudinal hangers contains a longitudinal hanger. 